McGregor has only competed once in 2017, albeit in a boxing ring rather than the mixed martial arts cage.

However, his foray in the ring ended in a 10th round knockout loss as he came unstuck against former five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather in a Las Vegas super fight last month.

According to Kavanagh, that may well be the last we see of McGregor until March 2018.

He added: “If it was my choice, and I must stress that this is only my choice and that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, it would be Nate Diaz in March.”

Why? “I have in my head that it would be a Paddy’s Day card in New York, Nate Diaz 3. I think that would be absolutely amazing.”

McGregor, 29, has been on a whirlwind tour since he won his first UFC title – the world featherweight championship – with a stunning 13-second knockout over long-reigning champion José Aldo in December 2015.

He has since fought Nate Diaz twice, and has knocked Eddie Alvarez out for the UFC lightweight championship belt.